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A Norco man charged with igniting two Southern California fires that led to 6 firefighter accidents in September 2024 was sentenced to 16 years to life in jail by a San Bernardino County choose on Wednesday.
Justin Halstenberg, 35, was convicted of 9 counts of arson, starting from aggravated arson to the usage of an incendiary system, for his position in San Bernardino County’s Line and Bacon fires.
“It’s clear that Halstenberg’s intent was sheer destruction and devastation,” mentioned Jason Anderson, San Bernardino County district lawyer, in an announcement. “Our mountain communities can be impacted by his crimes for a few years, and extra prolonged and ongoing environmental restoration efforts.”
Justin Wayne Halstenberg.
(San Bernardino County Sheriff)
Prosecutors mentioned in courtroom that Halstenberg tried three fires Sept. 5, 2024, within the metropolis of Highland.
The primary strive was on the nook of Bacon and Lytle lanes, often known as the short-lived Bacon fireplace, which was extinguished rapidly by native firefighters.
The second was additionally stamped out quick, this time by a superb Samaritan, in response to prosecutors.
His final effort, nonetheless, exploded into what turned often known as the Line fireplace.
The blaze consumed 44,000 acres of San Bernardino Mountains territory, injured six firefighters and destroyed or broken seven constructions. Injury and restoration are estimated to price within the thousands and thousands, in response to Anderson.
An automated license plate reader helped San Bernardino County and Cal Hearth investigators hyperlink Halstenberg’s pickup truck to a location close to the beginning of the Line fireplace.
Halstenberg was arrested in his household’s Norco house, round 20 miles from the ignition web site, Sept. 10, 2024.
A consultant for Halstenberg was not instantly out there.
Anderson mentioned the arrest and conviction wouldn’t have been attainable with out the “old style detective work” of sheriff’s detective Jacob Hernandez or investigators with the California Division of Forestry and Hearth Safety.
“I need our communities to know that we stand with you, and hope that with this verdict and life sentence you will be assured {that a} serial arsonist will not torment our county,” Anderson mentioned.
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